Analysis of Dementia Care Around the World

Analysis of Dementia Care Around the World

        Alzheimer’s and Dementia care models are different throughout the world. Each model and country brings a unique perspective on care for the elderly. Alzheimer’s disease International (ADI) is calling on more countries to recognize Alzheimer’s disease and dementia as the public health crisis it has become (Brum, 2017). According to the ADI, every three seconds somebody in the world devolves dementia. Currently, 50 million people are living with the disease worldwide. Care received around the world is all different and this paper will review the differences and similarities.
        First, I will evaluate the care received in the United States. Some treatment facilities are focusing on dementia treatment techniques to improve the quality of life for residence in assisted living facilities.  Light, music, and validation therapy are all innovative techniques being used to enhance the quality of life for people suffering from dementia. Caretakers are using the “person centered care” in the USA which respects each person’s background and culture (Brum, 2017). This helps the people feel more important and like individuals who are receiving the best possible care. As there is currently not cure for dementia the people with dementia continues to rise globally.

        In China, the memory care communities are booming. Western customs have become the norm in China. Since China has adopted western customs this has benefited the people receiving care in China. In China aging people must rely on their families to pay for their care as they do not receive any financial support from their government (Brum, 2017). At one time the Chinese government did financially support the elderly but that is no longer the case.

        The care people receive in Australia is impressive to me. I think part of the reason for this is that Australia doesn’t have a huge population that suffers from this illness (Brum, 2017). My guess would be that possibly some people are going undiagnosed. Recourses and care givers are able to give people are care they deserve because they are not spread as thin as other places with high populations of people with this illness.

        In Japan, dementia is a concern because of the low birth rate and the longevity of citizens. Japan practices learning therapy. This is a therapy where patients do simple arithmetic problems and read stories out loud (Brum, 2017). This could potentially slow cognitive decline and it improves the quality of life for patients.

        The Netherlands approach is extremely intriguing to me. They allow people to live without locks, with little to no medication, in apartments by themselves at a center called Hogewey. In addition, the residences of these apartments do their own daily tasks such as cooking, shopping, and going to appointments (Brum, 2017). Caretakers encourage the patients to do the same things they once did before their illness. Patients that live here are both happy and full of life.

        A lot of similarities are in the care of people with dementia throughout the world. China has adopted many of the practices of Western Countries. Australia and the United States both have guidelines and standards of care. All of the care includes modifying living conditions as most people live in centers. Also, each of these countries has some kind of caregiver for people suffering.

`        The differences in the care received in different countries is surprising to me. In the USA the government does offer assistance to the elderly by social security. Where in China the people receive no assistance from their government. Australia is unique as the government has the primary responsibility for planning and funding long term care. These services are financed by the taxes collected from other citizens. Also, in Australia caretakers focus on improving the quality of life for people by researching dementia. They also focus on being knowledgeable about the illness to provide better care. In Belgian they have a database for people who are known wanders so that they can be located quickly. This database includes places where the citizens have lived and worked. The United Kingdom spends both money and resources to educate the people about the illness.